Effect of trichostatin a on viability and microRNA expression in human pancreatic cancer cell line BxPC-3

Aim: To investigate the influence of trichostatin A (TSA) on
inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis in human pancreatic cancer
cells. Methods: MTT-based cytotoxicity assay was used to evaluate the cell
viability after treatment with TSA. Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were examined by
means of flow cytometry. Expression of microRNA was determined with microRNA array.
Expression of miR-200c and miR-21 was detected by Northern blotting. Results: TSA
significantly inhibited the proliferation of BxPC-3 human pancreatic cancer cells in a
time- and dose-dependent manner. BxPC-3 cells treated with TSA were arrested in G0/G1
phase and were characterized by increased apoptotic rate, accompanied by differential
expression of microRNAs. Conclusions: The results suggest that TSA may activate
expression of microRNAs that may act as tumor suppressor in human pancreatic cancer cell
line BxPC-3.